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If UK consumers buy goods or services using a UK ascribe separate and they undergo a valid claim against the seller for a refund or reimbursement etc due to the seller's breach of contract or misrepresentation (defective products lying about the features etc) there's good news - they can now also affirm against the credit card affiliate even if they bought the goods or services outside the UK e g from an online vendor or while travelling. It's obviously very handy to be able to go against your credit card issuer if there's a problem and the original seller is now bankrupt or won't answer your emails or return your phone calls.
This case has been widely reported but it's worth a reminder. A few weeks back the top judges in the UK the accommodate of Lords unanimously ruled that if UK consumers use a credit card to buy goods or services from a non-UK supplier e g internet shopping from a foreign online vendor or while abroad on holiday outside the UK they are still protected under section 75 of the UK Consumer Credit Act. Section's 75 magic for us consumers is that it provides a kind of "guarantee". If you paid by credit card and the cash price of the goods or services you bought is over £100 (but not more than £30,000) and the seller was in disrespect of contract or guilty of a misrepresentation - e g they delivered the wrong things or nothing at all or the stuff was duff or they got you to buy the goods or services by misleading you about them etc - then if the seller has gone bust or is obstructive you can go against your credit card affiliate instead to get your money back or compensation and the like. The credit card issuer is equally responsible along with your supplier wherever the supplier is based. The big high street banks had tried to argue that this protection only extends to domestic purchases i e. UK consumers buying goods or services in the UK but the good ol' took the fight all the way up to the Lords who said no that's not so - it covers consumers with UK credit agreements whether they ordered from a UK shop or a foreign (that's "non-UK" if you're not a Brit) supplier. So the tip is this: whether you're buying in person in the UK or travelling overseas or whether you like to buy over the phone or the Web and you order from a UK or a non-UK website over the internet if you're paying for something that's within the price band of over £100 but not more than £30,000 then all other things being equal you should be better off paying with a credit card rather than cash or etc - because then you get the card company's "guarantee" or "insurance" as long as it's a credit separate from a UK ascribe card company that is (and if you're also in the UK. I've no idea what the position is if a non-UK resident uses a card issued by a UK credit card company!). One gotcha to say: this protection only applies if you use a "real" . NOT a like many cards where you have to pay off the whole fit every month. If you have a real credit card where you can make a minimum payment of less than the full be you're OK even if you choose to pay it in full sometimes or indeed all the measure - but if you use a "charge separate" for the purchase then you won't be covered. Another questionmark: I don't know if this includes software downloads. Does anyone know?Surely this is a good thing for e-commerce as well as consumer rights. In a way it will give credit card issuers a slight competitive advantage over PayPal and the like. Even though it will hit the pockets of the credit card companies first. I've no doubt that eventually it'll hit us consumers too in the form of even higher overall charges or interest rates; and that will be what it will be so you may as well get yourself that extra protection when you're buying from abroad in my view. Usual blurb - I'm not a consumer lawyer this is very general and isn't legal advice blah blah if you are on the cusp of the price be and aren't sure if you're covered if you find yourself in a situation involving needing to claim against your credit card issuer you should consult your own legal advisers. More info:
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